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Synonyms

emotive

American  
[ih-moh-tiv] / ɪˈmoʊ tɪv /

adjective

  1. characterized by or pertaining to emotion.

    the emotive and rational capacities of humankind.

  2. productive of or directed toward the emotions.

    Artistic distortion is often an emotive use of form.


emotive British  
/ ɪˈməʊtɪv /

adjective

  1. tending or designed to arouse emotion

  2. of or characterized by emotion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

Emotional is preferred to emotive when describing a display of emotion: he was given an emotional (not emotive ) welcome

Other Word Forms

  • emotively adverb
  • emotiveness noun
  • emotivity noun
  • hyperemotive adjective
  • hyperemotively adverb
  • hyperemotiveness noun
  • hyperemotivity noun
  • nonemotive adjective
  • nonemotively adverb
  • nonemotiveness noun
  • unemotive adjective
  • unemotively adverb
  • unemotiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of emotive

First recorded in 1725–35; emot(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Although the issue was not discussed further during the event, some students later said they appreciated seeing a politician talking openly about such an emotive and taboo subject.

From BBC

Simpson said the challenge was how to hold Walter Mitty's to account proportionally on such an emotive subject for many.

From BBC

One possible factor is the tone set by social media and the emotive doom-scrolling and rage magnets embodied in their algorithms.

From BBC

Bob Weir, a founding member of countercultural icons the Grateful Dead, known for his singular guitar playing, emotive singing and vibrant songwriting, has died at 78.

From Los Angeles Times

"It is difficult to feel you're invested in what happens here at the emotive level without coming here in person."

From BBC